Indentation and Puncturing of Pristine and Flawed Soft Membranes

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the mechanical behavior of soft elastomeric membranes under indentation by a rigid spherical object, with a particular focus on the failure mechanisms leading to puncture. The study examines both pristine membranes and those with pre‐existing flaws, such as cracks, to explore how these imperfections affect the mechanical response and failure characteristics. An analytical axisymmetric model, based on a nonlinear solution for a hyperelastic, incompressible membrane, is presented. The prediction of the model are validated with experimental data obtained from indentation tests on silicone membranes. The study considers both stretch‐based and energy‐based criteria for fracture, providing insight into the conditions necessary for membrane failure and crack propagation.